Reclosable containers



Aug.-9, 1966 P. J. GRAYBILL RECLOSABLE CONTAINERS Filed May 18, 1964 IN VENTOR.

United States Patent 3,266,055 RECLOSABLE CONTAINERS Paul J. Grayhiil, 61 Sunset Hill Drive, Pine Orchard, Conn.

Filed May 18, 1964, Ser. No. 368,186 6 Claims. (Cl. 229-17) The present invention relates to dispensing containers in general and to those having opening and reclosing means inherent in the multiple layered glue end and the adjacent, at least partial multiple layered side wall thereof.

This invention is an improvement and variation on the applicants structures of Patent Numbers 2,812,126, 2,812,127, 3,096,922 and the allowed application Number 273,924. The improvement relates to the formation of the adjacent multiple walls and the multiple layered tucktab, by the use of at least part of the narrow end glueflap of the ontainer folded outwardly and downwardly to form one layer of said multiple layered tuck-tab and if desired the remainder thereof to form one course of said multiple side-wall.

Broad objective The broad objective of my invention is to provide a one piece container made of foldable stock which has opening, dispensing, reclosing and securing means inherent in the adjacent portions of two multiple layered walls thereof, said means consisting of a dispensing aperture in one of said walls, with a hinged cover articulated on one edge thereof to said wall, .a multiple course tuck-tab hingedly joined to the free end of said cover and at least one tuck slot positioned externally to at least one course of said adjacent multiple wall, said slot being formed by a protrusion tab or wing articulated to one of the layers of said multiple wall which together with said wall forms a tongue and groove type slot, one layer of said tuck-tab being formed from an outwardly folded portion of the adjacent narrow end glue flap and at least one additional layer being formed from a portion of an adjacent Van Buren ear or anti-sift flop. The remaining portions of said narrow end glue-flap may be used to form an additional layer of said multiple wall as stated, similar to a Van Buren ear. Hence the multiple sidewall portion is formed from the container side wall, the outwardly folded end glue-flap a part of which forms the inner layer of the tuck-tab, and at least one Van Buren ear part of which forms the outer layer of the tuck-tab and the protrusion tab or tabs which form the tuck slots. A tuck-lock type of tab may be used if desired.

This new structure has a decided advantage over the previously mentioned structures in that it utilizes the narrow end glue-flap in an outward position affording a direct face to face seal with the container side-wall and a back to back seal with the superimposed Van Buren ear, whether the complete narrow end glue-flap is utilized as a complete ear type structure or whether only a portion of it is used as the inner course of the multiple layered tuck-ta'b. This structure affords a non-sifting seal, as well as faclitates the application of adhesive in the filling process. In the instance when only a portion of the end glue-flap is employed as the inner layer of the tuck-tab a glue-free area is provided under the tuck-tab as the adjacent Van Buren ear is superimposed thereon and is adhered to the container sidewall. This structure greatly facilitates the opening process since there is no adhesion between the tuck-tab and the side wall, even though there is a secure seal between the articulated end glue-flap which forms the inner layer of the tuck-tab and the Van Buren car. In the opening process the tuck-tab is torn free from the Van Buren ear or ears on its lateral sides and from the container side wall at its articulation there- Patented August 9, 1966 to on its extreme inner end, thus opening the securely sealed container. In this process the inner layer of the tuck-tab is drawn out of the tongue and groove slot or slots along its lateral sides. In the closing process the inner layer of the tuck-tab is reinserted in the tongue and groove slot formed by the protrusion tabs on the Van Buren car from which it was drawn, thus reclosing and securing the container; when a tuck-lock-tab is used the seal is further secured.

Specific objectives The more specific objectives of my invention are as follows:

(1) To provide a one piece glue-end container having inherent opening, reclosing and securing means in said multiple glue-end and the adjacent, at least partially mutiple, side wall thereof, said means consisting of an aperture, a multiple course cover therefor, a multiple course tuck-tab and at least one external tuck-slot so positioned on the multiple side wall thereof to receive and hold said tuck-tab by engaging the lateral edges thereof, one layer of said multiple layered tuck-tab to be formed from a portion of said narrow end glue-flap.

(2) To provide such a container in which at least the multiple container side wall portion consists of three layers of stock, at least one of which may be provided by a Van Buren ear, and another may be provided by a portion of the narrow end glue-flap.

(3) To provide such a container in which said cover is cut releasably free on two sides thereof from said multiple end wall and is hingedly joined to said wall on a third side and also has hingedly joined thereto a tucktab on the fourth side thereof, the inner layer of said tuck-tab being formed from a portion of said narrow end glue-flap, which portion is releasably articulated to said container side-wall.

(4) To provide such a container in which said multiple side wall has protrusion tabs articulated to said Van Buren car which tabs partially overlay the lateral margins of the inner course of said tuck-tab, thus afiording vertical lateral tuck-slots in which said tuck-tab is positioned in a tongue and groove relationship, and from which said tuck-tab may be outwardly drawn by virtue of the inherent flexibility of the stock itself, said tuck-slots being so positioned as to receive the margins of said tucktab when the container is reclosed by tucking said tucktab back into its original position by a downward sliding motion.

(5) To provide a one piece container formed from foldable material having opening, reclosing and securing means inherent in the glue-end and the adjacent, at least partially three layered, side wall thereof, said dispensing means consisting of an aperture in said glue end, formed by the displacement of a hingedly joined cover, together with said cover itself which is cut releasably free on three sides thereof from said glue-end and hingedly joined thereto on the fourth side. In one position, said cover being an integral part of said glue-end, sealing said container, in another position said cover being torn free from said glueend and rotated about on said hinged connection thus opening said aperture, and still in a third position said cover being reclosed and secured by a multiple layered tuck-tab articulated to the free end thereof, said tuck-tab being secured by lateral tuck-slots engaging in a tongue and groove like action therewith, said lateral vertical tuckslots being formed from the outer layer or layers of the container side wall. Said tuck-ta'b may have a pull-tab articulated thereto to facilitate said opening and closing.

(6) And finally to provide such a container in which lock-tabs may .be provided if desired, on the lateral edges of said tuck-tab to further secure said cover in its closed position.

Designation of illustrations form the inner layer of the multiple layered tuck-tab and/or form one of the layers of the multiple side-Wall portion, in conjunction with a hingedly articulated cover,

a hingedly articulated tuck-tab thereto, useful in opening and reclosing a dispensing aperture in a full glue-end container. The use of these specific modes are for illustrational purposes only and does not limit to these the application of the essential features of my invention which are; an externally positioned narrow end glue-fiap useful in forming a multiple layered tuck-tab and if desired an extra course in the side wall, similar to a Van Buren ear; these in conjunction with at least one vertical tongue and groove tuck-slot formed by protrusion tabs articulated to an outer course of the multiple side-wall from which said tuck-tab is formed, as well also if desired lateral locktabs articulated to said tuck-tab.

FIG. 1 is a view of a portion of the inside surface of the blank of one of the possible structures of my invention, when double Van Buren ears are used with the container side wall to form the three courses thereof. Also shown is a portion of said narrow end glue-flap which when folded outwardly forms a partial fourth layer in the side wall, and also shown are the protrusion-tabs or wings which form the tuck-slot,

FIG. 2 is a view of a portion of the inside surface of a blank showing essentially the same structure except in this case there is but one Van Buren ear,

FIG. 3 is a view of a portion of the inside surface of a blank showing a version of my invention in which one of the two Van Buren ears is formed adjacent to the container side glue-flap and the other Van Buren ear structure is formed from the narrow end glue-flap, which can be folded outwardly face to face with the container side wall, the central portion of which narrow glue-flap will form the inner course of the tuck-tab. Also shown are lock-tabs on the lateral edges of one layer of said tucktab which may be used if desired.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of a finished container of FIG. 1 showing the container after sealing with the tuck-tab in its preopened position,

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of the container of FIG. 4 in its open position showing especially well the protrusion-tabs and the tuck-slot,

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of the container of FIG. 3 in its preopened position, showing the position of the end glue-flap when used as a second Van Buren ear and the lock-tabs positioned in the conforming configuration in the outer Van Buren ear.

Description and manufacturing procedure Referring then to the drawings, in which the same or similar parts in the several drawings are indicated by the same number or letter for ease in idntification, FIG. 1 is a view of a portion of the inside surface of the blank of a prferred embodiment of my invention showing the container side walls 1B, 2B, 3B and 4B and glue-flap 5B with their corresponding end glue-flap portions 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively, which are modified to form the unique opening, closing and securing means of my present invention. This embodiment shows glue-flap 2 modified to form the outer course C of the multiple layered cover C, also glue-flap 3 which is modified to form Van Buren ears E and E and the three layers T T and T of tucktab T, also wings W, and finally glue-flap 4 as modified to form the inner course C of cover C. Van Buren ears E and E with tuck-tab courses T and T are articulated to glue-flaps 2 and 4 respectively. The third course T of tuck-tab T is releasably articulated to side wall 3B.

These parts when fashioned into a regular full glue-end container form the package as shown in FIG. 4 in which tuck-tab course T is folded outwardly with Van Buren ears E and E together with outer courses T and T of tuck-tab T being superimposed and adhered thereon, color is added to T and the area which it covers on side wall 3B to prevent adhesion. The container of FIG. 1 is die cut, printed and glued in the usual way and is formed on any filling machine having Van Buren ear attachments; there is no change in the process except the use of a finger to knock the inner course T of tuck-tab T outwardly to be covered by Van Buren ears E nad E When the container has been filled and sealed it essentially resembles any full glue-end contanier except that inner course T of tuck-tab T protrudes downward from beneath Van Buren ears E and E along the container side wall 38 in position to be grasped in the opening process. Pull-tab 7 may be articulated to inner course T3.

The container is easily opened by outwardly pulling non-adhered tab T suificientiy to release the margins of T and T from their articulations with Van Buren ears E and E and forcing inner course T past wings W by reason of the flexibility inherent in said wings W, thus forming tuck-slots TS. Further movement outwardly of tuck-tab T releases inner course T from its articulation with side wall 3B and cover courses C and C from panels 4 and 2 respectively, opening aperture A for dispensing.

Likewise the container is easily reclosed by sliding tucktab T downwardly against side-wall 3B into its original position with tuck-tab course 'I occupying the slots TS formed by wings W. Course T becomes pull-tab 7 for reopening said container. l

FIG. 2 discloses a modificationmf the container off" FIG. 1 in which one of the yan Buren cars is omitted, otherwise its manufacturerfilling and use is identical.

FIG. 3 discloses a modification also in which one of the Van Buren ears E is formed from a portion of the side glue-flap 5. No change in the total manufacturing, filling and opening process is necessary except when the side glue-flap is adhered to side wall 3B, said side gluefiap 5 containing Van Buren ear E must be lifted out of the way of the glue wheel. Also shown are lock-tabs L formed in Van Buren ear E The container and modifications here described can be sealed in the usual way or with caulk sealing equipment or they can be formed and filled on ultra-sonic sealing equipment-in any event to form very efiicient closures which can be easily opened for dispensing and as easily reclosed to insure against contamination or accidental spilling.

Summary and novelty It should be noted at this point how the novelty of this construction affords several beneficial results. (1) The container as described is formed from a standard full glue-end blank. The only changes are minor alterations in the steel-rule cutting die; no additional stock onother appendage is necessary, (2) The blank is glued in a stand ard straight line gluer, (3) The container is set up and filled on any standard filling machine which forms containers having Van Buren ears. The only change may be spot gluing on one of the end glue-flaps, (4) The container affords a very effective closure, (5) The container can be easily opened by grasping the pull-tab with the fingers; no special instrument is necessary, (6) The container affords ready access to, and dispensing of, the contained products, (7) The container is readily and securely reclosed by tucking the tuck-tab into the tuckslots, accidental opening being thus prevented, (8) The container is readily and easily reopened by pulling the pull-tab outwardly.

The container then in its essential form affords a very efiicient and economical package for a great number of foods and other products which require an eificient clo- 59 sure and a handy dispensing and reclosing means, this without the cost of special machinery or additional stock, or additional appendages such as metal spouts. The container is a decided advance in packaging, meeting an urgent need in the reclosure field.

It is understood then that the embodiments shown are only examples and various changes in shape, size or arrangements of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the sub-joined claims.

I claim:

1. A dispensing container formed of foldable stock, having at least two articulated and at least partially adhered adjacent multiple layered wall sections thereof, one of said Wall sections having at least two layers and the other at least three layers of stock therein, said two layered wall section being formed by the inwardly folded and adhered opposing end glue flaps of said container, one of said glue flaps having an anti-sift flap articulated thereto, said three layered wall section consisting of the adjacent container side wall, the narrow-end glue-flap outwardly rotated and at least partially adhered to said container wall and the downwardly folded anti-sift flap, said adjacent multiple Walls affording structures suitable for the formation in said container of opening, dispensing, closing and securing means.

2. The container of claim 1 in which said opening, dispensing, reclosing, and securing means consists of a dispensing aperture in said two layered wall, said aperture being fromed by the displacement of a multiple layered and hingedly joined cover thereto, said cover so articulated' on its inner end and so positioned to open and close said aperture, said cover having a tuck-tab of at least two layers hingedly joined to the free end thereof, said adjacent three layered wall having said securing means therein which means consists of at least one external vertical tuck slot so dimensioned and positioned to frictionally engage at least one lateral edge of at least one of the layers of said tuck-tab in a tongue and groove relationship when said container is in a closed position.

3. The container of claim 1 in which said tuck-slot is formed by the displacement of said multiple layered tucktab, said outer layer of said tuck-tab being narrower on its lower portion than said next inner layer thus forming protrusion tabs over the edges of said inner layer, said protrusion tabs being extensions of the outer layer of said partial multiple side wall, said tabs together with the 5 next inner layer of said side-wall and the container side wall forming said tongue and groove type essentially vertical tuck-slots.

4. The container of claim 1 in which said securing means consists of protruding lock-tabs articulated to the lateral edges of the outer layer of said tuck-tab, said protrusions conforming precisely to the configurations formed by their displacement in said outer layer of said multiple side Wall.

5. The container of claim 1 having an adhesive free pull-tab hingedly joined to said tuck-tab to facilitate the opening of said container.

6. A dispensing container having opening, dispensing, reclosing and securing means formed in two adjacent walls thereof, one of said Walls consisting of at least three layers, one of which layers is formed by a narrow end glue-flap outwardly folded against a side Wall of the container, said means comprising a dispensing aperture in one wall thereof, said aperture being formed by the displacement of a hingedly joined multiple layered cover thereto, said cover disposed to open and close said aperture, a multiple layered tuck-tab articulated to said cover, said tuck-tab being so formed, dimensioned, and disposed as to tuck into at least one lateral and vertical tuckslot in a tongue and groove relationship and to be there held against the container wall, thus securing said cover in a closed position, said tuck-slot being formed by the displacement of said multiple layered tuck-tab, said outer layer of said tuck-tab being narrower on its lower portion than said inner layer thus forming protrusion tabs over the lateral edges of said inner layer of said tuck-tab, said protrusion tabs being extensions of the outer layer of said multiple side wall, said tabs together with the next inner layer of said side Wall and said container side wall forming a tongue and groove like tuck-slot, said narrow end tuck-flap extending to form a pull-tab articulated to the free end of the cover.

References ited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 25,449 9/1963 Gill 229-17 3,096,922 7/ 1963 Graybill 22917 3,147,905 9/ 1964 Gill 229-17 GEORGE O. RALSTON, Primary Examiner. 

1. A DISPENSING CONTAINER FORMED OF FOLDABLE STOCK, HAVING AT LEAST TWO ARTICULATED AND AT LEAST PARTIALLY ADHERED ADJACENT MULTIPLE LAYERED WALL SECTIONS THEREOF, ONE OF SAID WALL SECTIONS HAVING AT LEAST TWO LAYERS AND THE OTHER AT LEAST THREE LAYERS OF STOCK THEREIN, SAID TWO LAYERED WALL SECTION BEING FORMED BY THE INWARDLY FOLDED AND ADHERED OPPOSING END GLUE FLAPS OF SAID CONTAINER, ONE OF SAID GLUE FLAPS HAVING AN ANTI-SIFT FLAP ARTICULATED THERETO, SAID THREE LAYERED WALL SECTION CONSISTING OF THE ADJACENT CONTAINER SIDE WALL, THE NARROW-END GLUE-FLAP OUTWARDLY ROTATED AND AT LEAST PARTIALLY ADHERED TO SAID CONTAINER WALL AND THE DOWNWARDLY FOLDED ANTI-SIFT FLAP, SAID ADJACENT MULTIPLE WALLS AFFORDING STRUCTURES SUITABLE FOR THE FORMATION IN SAID CONTAINER OF OPENING, DISPENSING, CLOSING AND SECURING MEANS. 